DISCLAIMER: If you only like the action, this chapter isn't important.

September 2nd, 2017, Elias "Blitz", "We have a cold zero situation."

Oh boy.

"An abandoned theme park located in Hong Kong has been seized by the White Masks, and they have a hostage. Fortunately, the Hong Kong forces has given us 2 CTUs, who will happily give their lives for the greater good." Two Chinese people, one male and the other female, walk up next to Six in their uniform. The male looks rather old, with... cargo shorts? And the other looks rather young. "Their code names will be 'Ying', and 'Legion'." They both nod their head. Six continues, "And also, the Polish CTU, GROM, has also spared us another specialized soldier, Ela Bosak." A girl with vibrant teal hair walked up near the already crowded microphone.

That ass tho.

"We shall soon launch an assault on the White Masks, so prepare."

September 3rd, 2017, Jordan "Thermite" Trace:

"Oh, come on, Mike!" Ash begged. Thatcher replied, "The list is secret, until we announce it to everyone. Secret meaning no one knows unless permitted. That means not you, not Dominic, and not even Jordan!" Bandit, already in a bad mood, groaned in anger, for he doesn't take suspense too well. Due to budget modifications, both him, and Jäger, are no longer allowed to use ACOG on their weapons. Both Ash, and Bandit walked off to who-knows-where.

"So, asking as an ol' friend. You really know who is being sent off to "Operation Blood Orchid"?" Thatcher, sounding more cryptic then ever, replied, "You will know soon enough." What?

Same day, 3 hours later: "By vote of our trusted veteran, Mike "Thatcher" Baker, the way we will elect our fighters will be different than promised." Everyone let out a soft sigh, disgusted by the thought of more suspense. "Our team being sent in shall be carefully decided by this Operation's commander, code name "Thermite"

WHAT. THE. FUCK. My heart froze. Me? Commander? "Carry on." Six finished with. Soon after the meeting, I rushed to find Thatcher. My mind is rushing. What will I do? Can I even do this? Is this a promotion? I soon found him, I had so many questions.

"So, you heard the news?", Thatcher laughed. I was mildly paranoid,

"Why aren't you commander? Why me? What do I-"

"I chose you because I know you, I know what your capable of. This is nothing for you. And I'm getting too old for this." I was still so confused.

"But, the squad, it was nev-"

"That, is your decision". Thatcher walked away, and I lost him in the crowd. So, my first task. Find a team. After a solid hour of thinking, I decided to walk around, and eavesdrop the different CTU rooms, along with making sure they are finding everything okay. The closest was the Spetsnaz, so I decided to eavesdrop on them.

I first heard Tachanka, "You know, after so long with this DP-28 and shield, I really do feel better control with it."

Glaz continued, "My new thermal scope is a bit less fuzzy, so seeing should be better."

Fuze also remarked, "I was able to reshape by explosive's shape, so now these bombs should be a bit more consistent."

Glaz laughed, "I remember seeing one of those things fly across an entire room. Nailed someone in the face, too."

Kapkan has recently made a big change to his EDD. Making the traps smaller and with a different scanner that requires not the existance of a visible laser. However, he has split the gunpowder from 3 traps to 5, making them less explosive. I thought to myself. Kapkan and Tachanka are by far off the list, and Fuze even more so. Not after last time, damn near killed the hostage. But Glaz. He has experience in these types of situations. Thermite moved on. Next was GIGN. "Filling up those stims?" Twitch asked. Doc answered with a simple 'mmmhmm'. That's all I heard. I guess there is nothing new in these headquarters. Twitch might be an alright pick, but I'll think about it. Next was GSG9.

"Budget cuts by ass." Definitely Jäger.

"I know, right? It's bullshit." After Bandit and Jäger mysteriously lost their ACOG, due to 'budget cuts', they have been steamed ever since. Blitz kept joking about it, calling it a 'war crime' to use ACOG. They didn't take it too well.

"Calm down, how bad can it be?" IQ said in a soothing tone. Jäger replied,

"You... you just don't understand."

"Maybe I don't, Marius. Maybe." Blitz might be a good pick. Great guy, better soldier. Could send IQ, too. You know, to stir the pot. It's obvious there is something between them. They would fight for not only their team, but for eachother. Yea, good thinking, Jordan. Maybe I should still consult Thatcher though.

Next was SAS. "Will you get off your lazy ass and stop eating cereal mid afternoon, Mark?" Classic Mute. "Fine. Why does the time of day gotta change what you eat." My train of though changes to Sledge and Smoke. "You look a lot bloody bigger, Seamus." Sledge grinned and replied, "I've been lifting so many weights. Should fix my problem of not breaking walls effectively." Sledge might be a decent choice. Same with Smoke. I'll tally up the numbers when I'm done. I thought about my friends in the FBI dorms. Sad to say, but none of them would really be of any help. I thought about the non original CTUs. Buck might be okay, but he will be a back up. Same with Blackbeard. Capitão could be great. His smoke could cover our path. And torch out anyone. Hibana wouldn't be great because, well, I'm here. But... Echo, perhaps? That drone of his, what was it's name, Yokai? Could very well prove useful. That new girl Ying would be great, too. Yea. Later that day, I considered my team, and almost finalized it.

Me, Echo, Ying, Blitz, and IQ.

I later that day decided to consult Thatcher about it. *knock knock knock* I hear Mute reply.

"WHAAAAAT."

"Is Mike there?" I heard some quiet voices, and then Thatcher appeared at the door.

"Whadya need, Jordan?" I exhaled heavily.

"I was wondering your opinion abou-"

"About your team, huh? Go ahead."

"Well, these people aren't normally chosen. But here's the list." He glanced at the list, and instantly made a remark.

"I like how you have chosen your team, how everyone has a purpose. Blitz and IQ was a good one, too." "Thank's, Mike." He trailed off, saying,

"No problem." After a long, boring discussion with Six, we are to go through with the teams.

September 4th, 2017: Jordan "Thermite" Trace:

"After thourough thinking, through and through, our mission commander has decided our brave squad." I cleared my through, and walked up to the microphone, looking down upon all the recruits and specialist operators. "Hello, bra– " Everyone started laughing.

Great time for a voice crack.

I really could help but laugh, myself.

"Anyways". The voices died down. "Tomorrow, we launch an attack on a terrorist infiltrated location: an abandoned theme park in a highly populated area. A hostage has been taken, and they demand a ransom. We are not here to give them money, but a bullet to their heads." The crowd cheered, whistled, and made other wrather questionable noises. "Today, 4 brave people will fight for our future, and everyone's future. Elias?" The crowd cheered as everyone's friend walked amongst the isles and next to me. "Monika?" Once again, the crowd cheered and cheered. I saw Blitz, and knew his eyes would light up like his shield. "Masaru?" The crowd was silent, but then applauded gradually. He ackwardly walked up, not quite knowing what to do, like a lost puppy. "And last, one of our new specialists, Sui?" The crowd cheered for our newest recruitment, Ying. Six took over, "Thank you, thank you, you are all dismissed." As everyone was leaving in an orderly fashion, Echo walked up to me. "Do you mind if I talk to you, like, in private?" I was confused, yet agreed. We waited for everyone to leave, then Echo started first.

"Why? Why me? Why Ying? Of all possibilities, why?" I was somewhat confused with his message, for I did not really know his past too well.

"Well, obviously since you are allowed in this building, you have the skills to be accepted here. Yokai will definitely be an asset with gathering information, and your drone can do many things Emmanuelle's can't: go on the ceiling and go fucking invisible. To design that would take a genius, and that's what you are, Masaru. And what's wrong with Sui? She's been here for litterally a da – "

"I've worked with her before. She really is a good person." I asked, not knowing the response I was soon to get.

"Were you friends?" He sheepishly sighed,

"A little more than that."

Oh... oooohhhh... fuck.

"I... didn't know..."

"I don't blame you, Jordan. Well, I guess I'll get going." We traded goodbyes, and parted ways. On my way back to the FBI dorms, I heard Fuze in six's room. Oh boy

"Why the fuck is this 'Ying' selected, and not me? My things explode, yet hers are just flashy." I could simply sense Six was not happy with him.

"Language, Suhrat, and second, perhaps it is because this is a hostage situation, and last time you almost killed the VIP. You don't understand how lucky you are that you are even allowed here, let alone still go on these missions. She was right when she said you were a questionable asset." I ran as fast as I fucking could before Fuze walked out that door. I do not want to be in his way when he gets mad.